"Free Movies After Dark" Starts July 27 In Hartford

Live Entertainment Before Jurassic Park, E.T., Anchorman, Psycho

HARTFORD — — Are the prices for movie tickets breaking the bank for you? The new series "Free Movies After Dark" will premiere later this month, featuring popular movies in a different Hartford public park every Friday night.

Live entertainment will be provided between 7 p.m. and the opening credits rolling at sunset. Free popcorn will be provided by Spotlight Cinemas, the soon-to-open theater on Front Street in September, and bean bag chairs will be provided by Yogibo, the up-and-coming chain with three Connecticut stores. Downtown Yoga will lead a short yoga session before each movie.

Films and pre-show entertainment include:

Anchorman on July 27 in Bushnell Park. A "moustache contest" will feature participants imitating the facial hair of title character Ron Burgundy, portrayed by Will Ferrell. A DJ from radio station Hot 93.7 will spin tunes while Hartford hula-hoop group The Beat City Hoop Girls will showcase their movies and a Mark Twain impersonator performs.

Puss in Boots on Aug. 3 in Pope Park. Going with the animal theme, Jonathan the UConn Husky dog and Pucky the Whale from the Connecticut Whale hockey team will appear.The Connecticut Humane Society will talk about their adoption program, and possibly bring some live animals as well. Face painting for children will be available before the family-friendly film.

Psycho on Aug. 10 in Riverside Park. The local band trio String Theorie – comprising guitarist Joel Weik, bassist Karl Messerschmidt, and percussionist Jordan Critchley – will perform their unique blend of instrumental world fusion. With more of an adult audience than for any of the other film selections, the entertainment will accordingly feature a beer and wine garden before the picture.

Jurassic Park on Aug. 17 in Keney Park. The comedy troupe Sea Tea Improv will perform original sketches and Connecticut Science Center will loan their giant inflatable dinosaur. Attending in costumes is encouraged.

Singin' in the Rain on Aug. 24 in Elizabeth Park. Local puppetteer Anne Cubberly will perform her "giant puppets" routine, featuring large-scale models requiring multiple people to maniuplate. Photographer Ben Pollard will snap pictures using a backdrop of the iconic screenshot from the film's title sequence, allowing anybody to imitate the famous Gene Kelly pose leaning diagonically away from a lamppost. The first 50 attendees will receive free umbrellas.

E.T. on Aug. 31 in Goodwin Park.

Rising Star on Sept. 7 in Bushnell Park. Filmed locally in Hartford and around Connecticut, the hip-hop artist Klokwize will perform original songs recorded for the movie's soundtrack alongisde lead actress Emily Morse.

The movie series was conceived by Kristina Newman-Scott, director of the Marketing Events and Cultural Affairs division within the city's Department of Development Services.

"So many parks in the city are underutilized," explains Newman-Scott, whose position was created in March by Mayor Pedro Segarra. "And people in Hartford love film."

The series will likely be made an annual event if its kickoff proves successful, Newman-Scott predicted.